The regional chief for Ontario is calling for an emergency Assembly of First Nations meeting to deal with the controversial First Nation education bill currently before Parliament.
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt says he doesn’t believe “unanimity” will ever be found on his government’s proposed First Nation education bill, but opposition MPs should follow the “lead” of Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo, think of the “children” and put politics aside on the issue.
NDP MP Charlie Angus has sent Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt a stack of letters from Grade 3 students attending a water-soaked school on the Kashechewan First Nation reserve along the James Bay coast in northern Ontario.
The Harper government is expected table its controversial proposed bill on First Nations education as early as Thursday, APTN National News has learned.
The federal government is offering little for education in the 2014-2015 federal budget, but has dangled a $1.9 billion carrot to get First Nations chiefs to support proposed legislation to govern the operation of on-reserve schools.
-Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s former chief of staff Nigel Wright, who is now under an RCMP investigation, once complained to the prime minister that the Senate committee on Aboriginal Affairs had called for increased funding for First Nation education.
Another report has been released highlighting the gaps for Aboriginal children in the education system.
APTN began a three-part series this week exploring Mi’kmaq education in Nova Scotia.
The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations is one of those organizations facing cuts.
